Smithton may get tougher on curfew

Smithton council is considering making it harder on juveniles who ignore curfew by making it easier for police to cite the offenders.

During this week's council meeting, Councilman Fred Foster suggested changing the ordinance to require only one warning instead of two before a citation can be issued. Police officer Jim Phillips said he would prefer to make the first offense citable.

"The main issue is it's very costly to advertise," a change to the ordinance, Mayor Christine Tutena.

Council President Dan Barthels said borough solicitor Gary Falatovich should be contacted to see whether the entire ordinance needs to be advertised or just the part being amended.

After some discussion, Tutena said, "We'll shelve that until next month, to see what it will cost (to advertise) and if it remains quiet."

In other business, council was made aware of the estimated cost of insurance for next year. Barthels said the quote from the current insurer is $14,987, which is a 30 percent increase over this year's $11,500.

According to Barthels, most of the increase is because the level of workers compensation insurance being corrected because it had not been adjusted with previous increases in payroll.

Council gave permission for the Smithton Athletic Association to proceed with efforts to have lights installed at the ball fields.

Tutena noted that Community Day is Oct. 2 and urged residents to participate.

"There are not very many opportunities for fundraisers for the few organizations we have," she said.